See collection file correspondence from Ken Wright dated 26 May 1999 - "18 Turkish pontoons were captured whilst attempting a crossing of the Suez canal on the 3rd February 1915. The 12th Nelson Company [part of the 'Canterbury' Regiment] under the command of Major Brereton, were involved in the capture of the pontoons. On 12th July 1915, a pontoon arrived in Nelson as a gift to the Nelson City Council, from the NZ Government under General Sir John Maxwell's recommendation, in recognition of the 12th's role in its capture".